NUI Galway is preparing to welcome a record intake of 3,500 first year students from Monday, with a special orientation programme running at the university this weekend to help the students adjust to college life.
The university has also confirmed a walk-in vaccination centre is to operate on campus. The service will open on Tuesday (September 28 and will offer vaccines to students from 9am to 5pm three days a week (Tuesdays to Thursdays ).
A new campus map has been created and linked to the NUI Galway app to help students, staff, and visitors navigate the university grounds. More than 127,000sq m of indoor space has been mapped, allowing step-by-step navigation to any room or location in the most popular buildings on campus.
"All of the students coming to campus this year have demonstrated remarkable resilience amid the significant challenges presented by Covid-19," said president of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh. "Our education and our lives have been disrupted by the pandemic and it is our aim to provide the best experience for students, safely and sustainably, on campus, for the academic year ahead.
“We are conscious of our impact on Galway and the health, wellbeing, and safety of our staff, students, and the wider Galway community is our top priority. We are working hard to make this academic year a success, ensuring NUI Galway operates within public health guidelines."
Róisín Nic Lochlainn, NUI Galway Students’ Union president, said: "NUI Galway Students’ Union is here to represent all NUI Galway students and defend their rights. We are welcoming our students to campus with a mix of online and in person events to help them make friends, save money, and become a part of the university community. This includes our huge Rudaí Álainn bag giveaway, free SU Card credit, our walk and talks, the Hump Day Hoolie, outdoor cinema, a beach clean up, a swap shop, our life skills courses, Walktober, and the launch of our Hygiene Bank initiative.
“We have worked with the university to make sure every measure has been taken to ensure that your safety is our priority while also looking forward to an enjoyable year on campus."
NUI Galway Student Services, the university’s four colleges, and the students’ union have worked in partnership to plan a series of online and on-campus orientation events this week, running until Sunday September 26.
Over the weekend, on-campus orientation takes place in line with public health advice.
Senior university academics and management will personally deliver welcome messages to students, while NUI Galway Student Services is hosting information sessions.
Students are being encouraged to explore the campus on foot and by bus, to familiarise themselves with resources and facilities.
Further information on the orientation programme is available at www.nuigalway.ie/startinguniversity/newstudents/newundergraduate
